Environmental conditions during compliance testing: An analysis of impact and the need for documentation

The process of compliance testing for electrical equipment can be performed in a multitude of environments possessing various unique conditions that are potentially critical influences to the proper results of each test. This is particularly true when testing is performed outside of the controlled environment of a laboratory as it may be in field evaluation. The variations in these environmental conditions raise concerns as to the requirement for the compensation of results and their documentation based solely upon the severity of their influences. By researching the general effects of environmental factors, including ambient temperature, atmospheric pressure, and humidity, on the various electrical properties of different electrical components and equipment, and applying such considerations to common compliance testing methods, the requirement for the technical documentation of these factors will be determined. The data analyzed suggested that each environmental factor exhibits similar effects to varying degrees when applied to the common compliance testing methods consisting of the dielectric strength test, leakage current test, ratings test, and temperature test. Ultimately, due to the variations in their significance when applied to common compliance testing methods, the consensus for evaluators of equipment to document environmental conditions in addition to compensating results is deemed necessary only while operating in environments to which specific conditions are severe enough to distort results.